Maine's two U.S. representatives have asked the federal government to review the rail infrastructure that transports oil through the state following an oil train derailment in Canada near Maine's border that killed dozens.

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Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree said in their letter dated Thursday that what happened in Canada "requires a full accounting of the vulnerabilities of existing rail infrastructure in Maine."

"You can't read the stories day after day without thinking this could have been any town in Maine," said Pingree.

The letter was addressed to top officials at the National Transportation Safety Board and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

The Democrats said a review is especially important as crude oil shipments through Maine skyrocket. They said nearly 30,000 barrels a day crossed Maine via rail in March.

They said a review would ensure the "safety and well being" of Maine residents who live near tracks.

Virtually all rail lines are privately owned and their oversight is the federal government's authority. -- the state of Maine has essentially no authority.

"Are the cars adequate? Are the lines adequate, and are we really ready to move that much oil through our state?" said Pingree.

In case some sort of disaster happens, the state maintains a designated oil cleanup fund.

Rail companies must pay into the fund with a 3 cents per barrel fee for all oil they ship though Maine.

However, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection contends one company, Pan Am Railways, has not paid since March.

"We believe that the intent of the statute, the law that's currently on the books, is they should be required to pay. We are actively engaging them. They believe they are not subject to this," said Jessamine Logan with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

A spokesperson for Pan Am Railways said in a statement, "It made the decision to stop paying in good faith and is currently working with the DEP to straighten in out."

According to the DEP, over the last 10 years, that cleanup fund has dwindled from more than $6.5 million to less than $2 million.

It is all the more reason, Pingree said, Mainers need to know how safe it is to transport oil through Maine.

"We're anxious to have this investigated, and we also want people to be really clear these are some of the dangers we are now experiencing or could be facing right here in Maine," said Pingree.